Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 137. Repel the enemy

137. Repelling the Enemy

The black-clad army surged forward like a tidal wave from the end of the street, rushing swiftly at the people fighting on the streets and at the city gate. The gate, which had collapsed just a quarter of an hour ago, was swiftly shut again. The Xiling soldiers, who had rushed into Jiangxia City in their eagerness for military merits, were filled with terror when they realized they had fallen into a trap. The orderly black-clad soldiers rushed to their respective posts. Countless black figures suddenly appeared on the walls, already packed with the grey figures of Xiling soldiers. The fighting had restarted.

In the distance, the Southern Garrison Prince’s face turned stark white at the sight of the black-clad soldiers who had suddenly appeared on the city wall. Then he noticed a flamboyant red figure on the city wall, as unstoppable as a flood dragon.

A nearby advisor said, "Your Highness, that is Feng Zhiyao. Known as Third Young Master Feng in the Capital of Great Chu, he is the concubine’s son of the city’s wealthiest man and was expelled from his home in childhood. He has followed Mo Xiuyao onto the battlefields since he was a teenager and is the most trusted among Mo Xiuyao’s followers. His presence here means the Mo Family Army’s reinforcements have arrived." The Southern Garrison Prince’s face was grim. "Continue the attack!" he ordered in a low voice.

The sound of war drums thundered, shaking the sky, as grey figures and black figures clashed. But the gate of Jiangxia could not be pushed open again. When countless black-clad archers appeared on the city wall, their arrows raining down on the people below like a heavy storm, a delicate, snow-white figure calmly walked onto the city wall. Standing beside her were Marquis South, Mu Yang, and Zhuo Jing. Despite the bloodshed happening all around, her white silk clothes surprisingly remained unstained. Such pure whiteness, utterly spotless, imparted an inexplicable sense of coldness and grim solemnity.

Standing on the city wall, Ye Li gazed far into the enemy camp, towards the main banner of the Xiling army. Even though she couldn’t see their faces clearly, she could still sense their overwhelming aura and palpable rage. A cold sneer touched her lips as she ordered, "Spare no Xiling soldiers who have entered Jiangxia City. Toss all the bodies outside the city!"

"Understood," Zhuo Jing acknowledged with a nod.

Ye Li looked back and gave a provocative smile towards a certain distant place.

"Is that Princess Consort Ding?" the Southern Garrison Prince asked in a low voice.

The officer beside him glanced at the graceful, snow-white woman atop the city wall, hesitated briefly, and then said, "It appears to be Princess Consort Ding." Indeed, not many people had actually seen Princess Consort Ding. But at this moment, the only woman who could appear on the city wall with the Mo Family Army was undoubtedly Princess Consort Ding. The Southern Garrison Prince watched her for a long time, then suddenly burst into laughter. "Excellent! Interesting... Princess Consort Ding, you say? They claim the women of East Chu are weak, but this Princess Consort Ding surpasses even the noblewomen of my Xiling. No wonder she managed to thoroughly scare Princess Ling Yun back then." The officer beside him forced a stiff smile, unsure whether to echo the Southern Garrison Prince’s lavish praise for Princess Consort Ding. After all, this very Princess Consort Ding had single-handedly ruined their plan to capture Jiangxia today. Moreover, the fate of the soldiers who had previously stormed into Jiangxia City was now likely grim. Consequently, the forces they had lost in this small city of Jiangxia already exceeded the total losses from this entire period. This was undoubtedly a heavy blow to the Xiling Army’s morale.

"Your Highness, about the soldiers who rushed into the city..." an officer began.

The Southern Garrison Prince waved his hand dismissively, shaking his head. "It’s too late. Attack the city with all your might! Anyone who captures Princess Consort Ding alive will be rewarded with the title of Marquis!"

"Yes, Your Highness!" the officers responded.

As evening approached, the Xiling forces finally sounded the retreat. It was unwise to continue such a relentless offensive without knowing how many reinforcements the Mo Family Army possessed. If the two armies were equally matched, it would likely result in severe damage to both sides. Furthermore, this was East Chu territory, where their army could be resupplied with soldiers and provisions at any time. After their gains in Xinyang had been significantly less than expected, they had to be extremely cautious, lest a misstep lead them into an irreversible predicament. Watching the Xiling Army swiftly retreat to the sound of horns and gongs, those on the city wall finally breathed a collective sigh of relief. The remaining original soldiers of Jiangxia City couldn’t help but erupt in cheers.

Yuan Pei, dressed in half-dried, bloodstained clothes and covered in wounds, approached Ye Li. "This humble general, Yuan Pei, defender of Jiangxia, pays my respects to the Princess Consort!" he declared, attempting to kneel.

Ye Li quickly reached out to prevent him from kneeling, saying in a solemn voice, "Old General, you have endured much. It is I who arrived late, causing you such hardship."

Yuan Pei looked deeply moved, his bloodshot eyes welling with unshed tears. He announced loudly, "Not at all, Princess Consort! It was my incompetence that nearly allowed Jiangxia to fall into Xiling hands. I dare not speak of suffering."

Ye Li smiled faintly. "The circumstances were to blame, not your fault, General. There’s no need to dwell on these matters. Please, take your men to rest. Leave Jiangxia to us for now."

Yuan Pei nodded heavily. Feng Zhiyao, standing behind Ye Li, smiled and said, "General Yuan, please rest assured. Third Feng will not allow the Xiling forces to take a single step further into Jiangxia."

Yuan Pei did not stand on ceremony either. He cupped his hands in a salute and said, "In that case, I shall trouble you, General Feng."

After re-establishing the defenses, Ye Li led her people down from the city wall. As soon as she descended the city tower, she saw Leng Qingyu standing at its foot, holding a bloodstained sword, his expression blank. After a moment’s thought, Ye Li stepped forward and asked, "General Leng, are you alright?"

Leng Qingyu raised his head to look at Ye Li, a bitter smile on his face. "What is there to be alright about for a defeated general?"

Ye Li raised an eyebrow slightly. "Victory and defeat are common in military affairs. This was not entirely your fault, General. Take care of yourself."

Leng Qingyu was stunned for a moment before finally saying, "Thank you, Princess Consort."

Watching Ye Li walk away, Leng Qingyu looked at the longsword in his hand and sheathed it. Perhaps what Princess Consort Ding said is true, he thought. This defeat wasn’t my fault alone, but right now, I’m the only one who can bear responsibility for it. Fortunately... Jiangxia is still in our hands, and the Mo Family Army has arrived.

"General Leng." As Leng Qingyu was about to leave, Marquis South’s voice came from behind him.

Marquis South stood at the edge of the street, looking noticeably older and more fatigued than when they had last met. The war had only just begun, yet it seemed many of them had aged a decade. Marquis South stared at Leng Qingyu for a long time before asking in a low, heavy voice, "General Leng, do you have... any news of my son, the heir?"

Leng Qingyu replied somberly, "The enemy launched a surprise attack that day. The Heir led a squad to divert their attention... The entire squad was wiped out... Marquis, I am truly sorry..."

"I understand," Marquis South murmured, the faint light in his eyes gradually dimming. He sighed softly. Without even bidding Leng Qingyu farewell, he turned and left.

Leng Qingyu watched Marquis South’s lonely and desolate figure disappear, an inexplicable, bone-chilling cold seeping into him. Once, I yearned for the battlefield, he thought. I believed it was a place of passion and heroism, something countless men aspired to. But now, after this defeat, I finally understand the icy pain and suffering that lie beneath such fervent passion.

Jiangxia was a small city. Ye Li and her entourage were temporarily housed at General Yuan Pei’s residence, which was, in reality, merely a moderately-sized courtyard within the city. Veterans like General Yuan Pei and Zhang Qilan, whose capabilities were certainly not inferior to those of the Grand General of National Garrison or Murong Shen, were indefinitely suppressed and relegated to such remote posts, never able to attain the glory and honor they truly deserved, simply because they were commanders in the Mo Family Army.

Due to Ye Li’s arrival, General Yuan Pei had moved his wife and children from the main courtyard to side rooms in the harem. Understanding Yuan Pei’s gesture and his loyalty to Prince Ding’s Mansion, Ye Li did not refuse and casually chose a room. After freshening up, she proceeded to the front hall to discuss military matters with the others. When Ye Li entered the study, it was already full of people engaged in fervent discussion. They quieted down upon her entrance, and General Yuan Pei personally invited Ye Li to take the seat of honor. Once Ye Li was seated, he adjusted his own attire, stepped forward, and bowed solemnly, saying, "This humble general deeply thanks the Princess Consort for her life-saving grace."

Ye Li sighed, a hint of helplessness in the sound, and signaled to Zhuo Jing, who stood beside her, to help General Yuan Pei up.

"General Yuan, let us dispense with these formalities. Please rise and speak," Ye Li said earnestly.

Yuan Pei returned to his seat and said, "Your Highness, Xiling currently has 300,000 troops stationed outside Jiangxia City, and they are clearly determined to seize it. I have received intelligence that their armies from both the north and south are also subtly maneuvering towards Jiangxia. Once these three forces converge, nearly 500,000 soldiers will besiege Jiangxia. Despite our army’s unyielding courage, Jiangxia is small, its populace limited, and its military provisions scarce. I fear we will be unable to withstand a siege by 500,000 troops. I implore Your Highness to make strategic preparations without delay."

Ye Li nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, General Yuan. I have taken note. As for the issue of food and grain, you need not worry; the Imperial Court will surely send sufficient provisions. Marquis South, Heir Mu, isn’t that so?"

Marquis South, who had seemed somewhat lost in thought, looked up upon hearing Ye Li’s words. A faint smile touched his lips. "The Princess Consort is right. We are risking our lives on the battlefield; surely the Imperial Court and His Majesty will not allow the soldiers at the front to be wronged."

Ye Li glanced at Marquis South, clearly seeing the weariness and sorrow in his eyes. She didn’t know what Leng Qingyu had told him, but she could surmise some of it, as there was still no news regarding the Heir of South Marquis. His continued absence inevitably led to unsettling conjectures. She looked at Marquis South with concern, but he merely nodded at her, as if to assure her he was alright.

Despite Marquis South’s assurance, the atmosphere in the room did not lighten significantly. After so many years, the officers and soldiers of the Mo Family Army had long since lost much hope in the occupant of the Imperial Palace. Ye Li noted everyone’s expressions but chose not to comment, instead turning back to discuss military strategies with the generals.

Once the discussion concluded, everyone took their leave one after another. Marquis South, however, remained seated, unmoving and apparently lost in thought. Ye Li initially presumed he had something to say, but as everyone else departed, she realized he was merely preoccupied. Frowning slightly with concern, she gently called out, "Marquis?"

Marquis South looked up, his eyes blank and unfocused. It took him a moment to regain his composure. He gazed at Ye Li, still somewhat dispiritedly, and after a long pause, said slowly, "Princess Consort, forgive my lapse. I shall take my leave now."

Ye Li shook her head. "Marquis, the Heir’s status is unique; at present, no news is good news. There are many crucial matters in the army that still require your decisions. I urge you to take care of yourself."

Marquis South forced a smile and looked up at Ye Li. "The Old State Duke once remarked that the Princess Consort is an extraordinary individual. Having witnessed your capabilities firsthand on this journey, this Marquis can attest to that. As for the myriad affairs within the army, I’m afraid I must trouble Your Highness to oversee them. This Marquis... I fear my capacity is somewhat diminished now."

"Marquis..." Ye Li began, wanting to say more, but Marquis South waved his hand dismissively.

"I shall take my leave first, Princess Consort. You should also get some rest."

Watching Marquis South’s unsteady figure depart through the door, Ye Li ultimately swallowed the words she had intended to say, murmuring instead, "Take care, Marquis."